Universal power-supply connection system for multiple electronic devices, and devices for use therewith

ABSTRACT

The system provides electricity to operate any of a multiplicity of device and most typically receives power from a source and passes power to any of the devices. The system also accepts electronic-device identification information for any particular one of such devices. The system also has one or more programmed digital electronic microprocessors that use the identification information to select power parameters--for passage of power from the source to the powered device. The system activates its own power-passing capability to apply power to each device according to the power parameters selected by the microprocessor. A cable, which for some purposes may regarded as part of the system and for some purposes is a separate invention, connects the microprocessor and power-passing parts of the system to the powered device; the identification information is held either in the cable--typically in a ROM, PROM, EPROM or other memory chip in one of the end connectors of the cable--or in the device to be powered, or in a power adapter which is at either end of the cable or within the device to be powered, and is read by the system microprocessor before power is supplied. In some forms of the invention, a power adapter preferably receives a. c. power from the system and derives, from the a. c. power, power in a modified form for operation of the device.

RELATED PATENT DOCUMENTS

This is a continuation-in-part of my patent application Ser. No.08/198,994, filed Feb. 18, 1994, and now issued on Oct. 29, 1996, asU.S. Pat. No. 5,570,002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to supplying electrical is power toelectronic and other electrical devices; and more particularly tosystems and apparatus for providing electrical power to operate any of amultiplicity of such devices.

Although a general introduction appears below, it will be helpful toreaders who are already familiar with my above-identified patent to knowat the outset that this present document deals not only with theinvention as set forth and/or claimed in that patent, but also withcertain special cases of the invention. In these special cases: (1) apower adapter is used as part of, or instead of, the special power cableof my earlier invention--and the adapter per se may be at either end ofthe cable; (2) identifying information for an electronic device ispassed from, or through, a power adapter to a power-supply system,rather than through a cable as such; (3) identifying information is heldin a memory unit within a power adapter, rather than in a cable; and (4)some forms of the invention as claimed are, or include, an electronicdevice (rather than a cable) that holds a memory unit for identifyingthe device to a power-supply system. To an extent these several specialcases may arise either independently or in various combinations.

In many situations it is desirable to make general provision forsupplying electrical power to a device that will be provided later, asfor instance by a customer or other user of a multiuser facility. By"multiuser facility" I mean to encompass a facility used by just a smallnumber of people at a time, or even one person at a time--but in whichthe people or person using the facility at any time are typicallydifferent from the people or person using it at other times--and in anyevent the individual device cannot be specified or identified inadvance.

Mobile facilities, which is to say vehicles--such as ships, airplanes,trains, buses and automobiles are examples of such multiuser facilities.Continuing in the same vein, stationary facilities of interest forpresent purposes include transportation terminals such as airportlounges.

Other pertinent types of multiuser facilities include hotels,restaurants, convention and exhibit halls, schools, laboratories andoffices. Problems related to supply of electrical power in all suchmultiuser facilities will now be discussed.

As will shortly appear, however, it is possible to analyze andgeneralize the problems under discussion. Such generalization will leadto realization that related problems, such as economic inefficiencies,are present even in single-user circumstances.

In a mobile facility and elsewhere far from the user's own home oroffice it can be particularly important to supply electrical powerexclusively in correct form for the device which will use that power,and furthermore exclusively to devices which are suitable for operationin the particular facility. For instance, supplying power in anincorrect form (for instance incorrect voltage) may damage the device towhich the power is supplied, and such damage may be especiallyproblematic for a user who is in transit--when repair or replacement maybe unfeasible.

In a mobile facility, supplying power in an incorrect form may alsocause problems more intimately related to the power-supplyingequipment--by damaging that equipment, or taking it temporarily out ofservice. Such equipment may be particularly limited in current-carryingcapacity or in ability to accept loads or signals reflected from theelectrical device back into the supply.

Here too, repair or replacement of a mobile power supply en route may beunfeasible on account of the limitations inherent in travel. Similarlysome candidate solutions such as fuses and circuit breakers withinvehicles pose their own inherent undesirable costs and inconveniences.

Even more importantly, some electrical and particularly electronicdevices interfere with safe operation of nearby equipment such as avehicle in which such devices are used. A classical and well-knownexample of this problem is computer-generated interference with airnavigation.

Thus for some situations it may be desirable to entirely deny, ratherthan supply, power for particular individual devices. To put it anotherway, it may be desirable to entirely deny power for any device that isnot approved for use.

To facilitate generality of expression in this document, however,denying power will be encompassed within the concept of selecting powerparameters for the particular combination of electrical device andfacility--and then applying power "according to the power parameters".In other words, for purposes of this document it is to be understoodthat selected parameters in some cases may be "no voltage and nocurrent".

Two modern developments make the problems outlined above particularlyimportant. First is a proliferation of portable electronic devices whichare nominally internal-battery operated, but which can operate fromexternal power, and whose batteries require replacement or recharging atintervals considerably shorter than the uninterrupted duration of moderntravel (as for transcontinental air flights)--and whosedirect-external-power and charger-external-power requirements areextremely variegated.

Even for short-range travel, use of external power when available isusually preferable to conserve batteries for environments lackingexternal power. Such portable electrical devices range from ordinaryaudio cassette players and handheld electronic games, through portabletelevision sets and video cameras, to full-capability personalcomputers, FAX machines and even computer printers.

Nominal power requirements of all these devices are extremely diverse asto current drain, voltage, direct vs. alternating waveform, and in thelatter case frequency. Furthermore whereas some devices tolerate largedepartures from nominal values, others accommodate only rather tighttolerances in power characteristics.

Accompanying a great many of these devices, moreover, are rechargers forthe internal batteries. In most cases the input-power specifications forthe chargers are entirely different from the direct-use external powerspecifications.

A second pertinent modern development is that some airplane-manufacturerinterest has arisen in providing at each passenger seat, or for instanceat each business or first-class passenger seat, an equipment pod thatincludes certain special amenities. Such amenities may for exampleinclude a separately deployable video monitor, and in particular acourtesy electrical-connector receptacle for supplying electrical powerto laptop computers, dictating machines and the like.

Analogously in vehicles (such as ordinary buses) where navigationalinterference is not a problem, power receptacles for cellular telephoneswill be appropriate. More generally it may be desirable, in aircraft aswell as other facilities, to power through such receptacles any of thegreat range of portable electronics mentioned above.

In order to make use of such a power-supply receptacle, each electronicdevice (computer, telephone, tape recorder etc.) must have a cableterminated compatibly with the receptacle. Such a compatible terminationor adaptor is readily provided, but--by giving all devices in common anequal access to the facility power supply--only makes more severe themore-fundamental device-compatibility problems discussed earlier.

As will be understood, provision of such amenities at each seat in eachaircraft in an entire new aircraft-model line aggravates in atime-immediate way the problems discussed above. This particularlyfocused need, however, is magnified by the general desirability ofsolving these problems for other types of vehicles and facilities.

Once attention is directed to the special problems of providing power inmultiuser facilities, it can be appreciated that the broad diversity ofelectronic-device power requirements has itself created a veryuneconomic variegation in commercially available separate power-supplymodules. This diversity of power-supply units in turn has been fed byvarious factors, probably including for small-portable-devicemanufacturers the desirability of

(a) supplying a single model for use in various countries with divergenthouse-voltage specifications, and

(b) avoiding submission of their products to the expensive and demandingsort of safety tests generally required for house-voltage apparatus.

A large number of different power-supply modules on the marketintroduces a significant element of added costs. Such costs are embeddedthroughout manufacturing, warehousing, inventorying, shipping, andrelated paperwork for all the related products.

Some manufacturers have attempted to reduce the maze of power-supplymodules which travelers need, by providing custombattery-charger/power-supply input units that operate on any voltagefrom about 100 through 250 Vac, and at 50 or 60 Hz. Some such units mayautomatically test the voltage and frequency available, and modify theirown power-input characteristics accordingly.

Devices which are so equipped accordingly require only a socket adapterwhen transported abroad, and thus solve a major problem of diversity asbetween countries. As will be understood, however, this type ofenhancement does nothing to reduce the uneconomic diversity ofpower-supply specifications or modules within any country, as betweendifferent electronic devices.

In a hitherto unrelated field, it is known to provide and employ anintegrated-circuit memory unit, such as a ROM, RAM, PROM or EPROM chip,for identification purposes. Modern semiconductor technology makespossible the provision of electronic "keys" or identification units thatcan each carry one of an essentially unlimited number of electronic keycodes.

If desired, each code can be made unique, or substantially so. On theother hand, if preferred a large number of chips can be made with thesame code--for use in distinguishing associated people or items from oneanother by categories.

For example, the DS 2400, 2401 and 2502 circuit devices manufactured byDallas Semiconductors, Inc., of Dallas, Tex., each have a numericalcapacity equal to the fourteenth power of ten, or one hundred trillion,and can be manufactured in such a way that no two of them hold the samenumber. Thus the numerical range of ROMs and PROMs now on the marketexceeds the earth's population by several orders of magnitude.

The above-mentioned Dallas Semiconductors devices are called by the firmits "Touch Memory" chips, as the devices are able to read or write withmomentary contact. The firm houses each chip in a stainless steelcontainer which the firm calls a "MicroCan". This coin-shaped containeris 16.3 mm in diameter and 3.2/5.8 mm in height.

It is mounted it with one flat circular face of the can secured to theflat surface of a generally rectangular thin flat ID card or a thin flatgenerally oblong-shaped key fob. A user holds and manipulates the cardor fob so as to insert the "MicroCan" into--for example--a generallyforwardly facing electronic-lock receptacle, through which data in thechip are read into electronic circuitry within the lock.

The Dallas chips, housed as just described, are advertised for use inidentifying a great variety of different things and entities such aspeople, livestock, or warehoused merchandise; for instance it is nowadvertised as useful for identifying different kinds of batteries in aninventory. As mentioned earlier, it has not been suggested heretoforethat such ROM, PROM etc. chips might have any application to solving themultiple-power-supply problems discussed previously.

As can now be seen, the prior art has failed to provide solutions toimportant problems in the portable-electronics field.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The invention corrects the failings of the prior art. Before offering arelatively rigorous discussion of the invention, some informalorientation will be provided here.

It is to be understood that these first comments are not intended as astatement of the invention. They are simply in the nature of insightsthat will be helpful in recognizing the underlying character of theprior-art problems discussed above (such insights are considered to be apart of the inventive contribution associated with the invention)--or incomprehending the underlying principles upon which the invention isbased.

Through modern electronics it is possible to provide a single electronicapparatus capable of supply electrical power at any of a great number ofdifferent power specifications that is to say, voltage, impedance,current range, and waveform. It is also possible to control thatapparatus to provide power selectively at some particular powerspecification.

Furthermore the control can be made automatic--based upon informationabout the device which is to use the supplied power. Such information,in general principle, can take either of two broad forms: (1) astatement of the power specifications and (2) identification of thedevice to be powered, from which identification the power specificationscan be found by reference to a suitable tabulation linking theidentification and specifications for a great many different devices.

Still further the information about each device can be encoded in amemory chip and provided to the power-supply apparatus whenever thatdevice respectively is connected to receive power from the supplyapparatus. In other words each device can be caused to have anassociated respective memory chip which provides the neededidentification.

The part of such a power-supply apparatus that accepts and analyzesinformation from the individual-device memory chips, and controls thepower supplied to the powered device, can nowadays be made very smalland inexpensive. Similarly the identifying memory chip associated witheach powered device can be very small and inexpensive.

The physical arrangements for association of a memory chip with eachpowered device are subject to considerable variation. For new devices,preferably the chip may be built into the device; for already-existingdevices the chip may be built into a new power cable (preferably intoone of the connectors at the two ends of the cable) for each device.

As will be seen, such a cable may be completely passive, except ofcourse for the readable information-carrying chip. This may be amaximally economical approach, as to the cable itself; however, as willbe seen later a power cable that includes or is associated with a poweradapter may turn out at least in certain environments--to be maximallyeconomical overall.

Of course the costs of these elements cannot be zero, but through theiruse a single power supply--what might be called a "universal" powersupply--can be used for virtually any portable apparatus, therebyintroducing a major economy in terms of manufacturing and distributionfor power supplies, as suggested previously. A more important economy,however, is that a single power-supply apparatus, provided in andpreferably built into a multiuser facility, can be used to supply theportable-electronics needs of essentially any user who appears in themultiuser facility.

This latter economy can be enjoyed particularly in mobile facilitiessuch as airplanes where space and weight allowances for such functionsare stringently limited--and where power misapplication can bear severeconsequences as pointed out in the preceding section of this document.Not only can each approved device be supplied with electrical poweraccording to its own proper power specifications, but in addition eachdevice can be screened to determine whether it is in fact an approveddevice for use in the environment of each facility respectively--and, ifnot, the power specifications for that combination of device andfacility can be established, as suggested earlier, to be "no power".

It will be understood that from time to time there may be introduced newportable devices whose power specifications are not adequatelycompatible with categories previously held in the evaluative circuitryor tabulation that is embedded in the power-supply apparatus. Updatingof the evaluative tabulation or circuitry may then become necessary ordesirable, and may be facilitated by making that part of the apparatuseither (1) a plug-in or otherwise easily replaceable module, or (2)reprogrammable, as for example through the power port.

If desired such versatility can be limited to only more-expensive modelsactually intended for use in multiuser facilities. Some multiuserversions of the apparatus, those intended for plural and especiallymultiple concurrent use of power by plural or multiple devices, may alsobe made to take advantage of economies possibly available throughsharing of a central or common evaluation/tabulation module for thefacility; in addition to manufacturing economy it will be understoodthat economy can be realized in the updating procedure by replacing orreprogramming only the central module.

The present document focuses in part on power adapters, rather thancompletely passive cables as in my above-mentioned patent and in theforegoing paragraphs, because analysis indicates that, in manyenvironments which are extremely important commercially, a system usingadapters (most typically carried by the end-user, with the electronicdevice to be powered) can be far more economical than a system whichsupplies power directly in a form that can be used in most portableelectronic devices. This is particularly true, for instance, incommercial passenger aircraft, where it is very adverse to add weightand other complications required for provision of d. c. power.

To the extent that a system actually calls for wiring of d. c. powerover any significant distance within an aircraft, a significant adversefactor is the wiring weight required to avoid undesirable voltage dropsand heat dissipation. Further such power must be supplied in variousvoltages, for use in passengers' telephones, laptop computers, dictatingequipment and the like; the requirement of providing voltage in so manydifferent forms is thus undertaken by the common system, even thougheach single user only uses just one voltage at any given time--and eventhough many voltages may be used only very occasionally.

In short, although it has been stated above that multi-voltage systemsare possible, and in a sense even practical--and are within the scope ofcertain aspects of my invention and corresponding ones of the appendedclaims--in at least certain environments such systems are noteconomically optimum. Systems according to the now-introduced aspects ofmy invention, to the contrary, are economically optimum in suchenvironments; these systems provide power to operate devices at leastone of which has an associated power adapter.

The adapter can receive a standard a. c. voltage from a systemreceptacle and perform the necessary transformation. Thus therequirement to provide the particular needed voltage can be absorbed bythe end user (i.e., the party which wishes to use some particularobscure voltage requirement), and the system need merely check theadapter to determine whether it and its associated electronic device arecompatible with the supply system.

Here "compatible" may only mean, for example, acceptable in terms of (1)total power required and (2) electromagnetic emissions. It should berecognized that the adapter, too, has some weight; however, theindividual carrying a portable electronic device ordinarily carries anadapter with the device anyway. Therefore with the power-adapter systemsaccording to my invention there is little or no net added weight.

Now with these preliminary observations in mind this discussion willproceed to a perhaps more-formal summary. The invention has severalindependent main aspects or facets, independently usable although foroptimum enjoyment of their benefits they are best practiced together.

Of these main facets of the invention, the first three were presented inmy above-mentioned patent, and are repeated below.

In preferred embodiments of a first one of these major aspects, theinvention is a power-supply connection system for providing electricalpower, from a source of electrical power, to operate any of amultiplicity of electronic devices. The system includes some means forreceiving electrical power from such a source; for purposes ofgenerality and breadth in expression of the invention these means willbe called simply the "power-receiving means".

In addition the system includes some means for passing electrical powerto any of such electronic devices. Again for breadth and generalitythese will be called the "power-passing means".

The system also includes some means for accepting electronic-deviceidentification information from any particular one of such electronicdevices. These means, which will herein be designated the"information-accepting means", are associated with the power-passingmeans.

Further the system includes some means for using the identificationinformation to select power parameters, for passage of power from thepower-receiving means and through the power-passing means to theparticular one device. These means include a programmed digitalelectronic microprocessor, and will be called the "programmed digitalelectronic microprocessor means" or more simply "microprocessor means".

Still further the system includes some means for activating thepower-passing means to apply power therethrough to the particular onedevice according to the power parameters. In other words, theseactivating means both (1) activate the power-passing means and (2) applypower through the power-passing means to the particular one device, inaccordance with the parameters selected by the microprocessor means.

The foregoing may be a description or definition of the first main facetof the invention in its broadest or most general form. Even in thisbroad form, however, this first aspect of the invention can be seen toresolve the problems described in the preceding section of thisdocument.

More specifically, this first broad form of the invention provides asingle, universal power supply that can be used to supply power tovirtually any portable electronic device of suitable power demand,whether in a multiuser facility or in some private context--such as ahome or personal car. This universal supply thereby introduces importanteconomies of manufacture, inventory and distribution, together with someprovision for safety against power misapplication.

Although this first major aspect of the invention even in this broadform thus resolves prior-art problems, nevertheless this aspect of theinvention is preferably practiced with certain additional features orcharacteristics that enhance enjoyment of the advantages of theinvention. For example, preferably the system further includes at leastone electrical cable, with termination that is standard for connectionto any of such electronic devices of the multiplicity.

This at least one cable includes conductors that serve as part of thepower-passing and information-accepting means. In this preferred form,the electronic device provides the identification information into theinformation-accepting means of the cable.

In one such preferred arrangement, it is still further preferable thatthe conductors include:

at least one conductor that serves as part of the power-passing meansbut not the information-accepting means; and

at least one other conductor that serves as part of theinformation-accepting means but not the power-passing means.

In an alternative such preferred arrangement, however, it is preferablethat the conductors serving as part of the information-accepting meansare the identical conductors that serve as part of the power-passingmeans.

Reverting to the first major aspect of the invention, another preferablefeature--particularly in a case where the system is for use inconjunction with any of a multiplicity of cables that are respectivelyassociated with such electronic devices of the multiplicity--isprovision of at least one electrical connector receptacle, with terminalconfiguration that is standard for connection to any of suchmultiplicity of cables. In this arrangement the at least one connectorreceptacle includes terminals that serve as part of the power-passingand information-accepting means; and the associated cable and electronicdevice in conjunction provide the identification information into theinformation-accepting means of the connector receptacle.

Another preferable feature for inclusion in the system is a tabulationof identification information with corresponding power parameters, foreach of a multiplicity of electronic devices, held in association withthe microprocessor means. For a class of electronic devices that are notacceptable for use with--or whose identification information is notrecognized by--the system, the tabulation preferably comprisescorresponding power parameters that encompass passing no power to anydevice of the class of electronic devices.

Preferably the power-passing and information-accepting means areconnected by a detachable connector to at least one of (1) themicroprocessor means and (2) one of such electronic devices. For somepurposes the system of the first main facet of the invention alsopreferably includes the source of electrical power.

It is also preferable, as to the first major aspect of the invention,that the power-passing and information-accepting means include anelectrical cable having a termination that is standard for connection toany of such electronic devices of the multiplicity. It is alsopreferable that the parameters for each of such devices comprise atleast one parameter selected from the group consisting of supplyvoltage, supply impedance, and supplied current. In regard to a systemaccording to the latter preference, it is particularly desirable thatthe parameters for each of such devices include at least supply voltageand supplied current.

It is also preferred that the identification information include atleast one of the power parameters. (In one form of this feature, theidentification may include a device code or device-category code for usein a lookup table that has all the power parameters, and the at leastone power parameter is used as redundant cross-checking information tovalidate that the information coming from the device-associated memorychip is valid. In another form of this feature, the identificationinformation simply includes the power parameters as such, so that nolookup function is needed.)

In preferred embodiments of a second of its principal facets or aspects,the invention is a power-supply connection system for providingelectrical power from a source of electrical power in a facility, tooperate a plurality of electronic devices. Each such device is one of amultiplicity of electronic devices that are compatible with thefacility.

Here the system includes power-receiving means as before. This systemalso has some means, including a plurality of connection ports, forpassing electrical power to a plurality of any of such compatibleelectronic devices, substantially concurrently; as will understood these"power-passing means" are related to the power-passing means of thefirst aspect of the invention but with the difference of beingconfigured for plural operation.

A preferred embodiment of this second main facet of the invention alsoincludes some means, associated with the power-passing means, foraccepting, at any of the plurality of ports, electronic-deviceidentification information from any particular one of such electronicdevices. These information-accepting means as will be understood are,analogously, related to the like-named means of the first main facet ofthe invention.

Also included in preferred embodiments of this second main aspect of theinvention are programmed digital electronic microprocessor means forusing the identification information to select power parameters, forpassage of power from the power-receiving means and through thepower-passing means to each particular one device. In addition suchembodiments also include some means for activating the power-passingmeans to apply power therethrough to any of such compatible electronicdevices, substantially concurrently, according to their power parametersrespectively.

The foregoing may represent a definition or description of the secondprincipal aspect or facet of the invention in its most broad or generalform; however, as before the second main facet of the invention even inthis very broad form may be seen to resolve difficult problems of theprior art. Specifically this general form of the second primary aspectof the invention solves the particularly difficult problems of supplyingelectrical power expeditiously and safely to plural or multiple users'devices concurrently.

Nevertheless as before some additional features or characteristics arepreferable. For example it is preferred that the system include somemeans, controlled by the microprocessor means, for alerting personnel ofsuch facility in event identification information from an incompatibleelectronic device is received.

In preferred embodiments of a third main aspect or facet, the inventionis a power cable for use in connecting a particular electronic device toan electrical power-supply system in a facility--for passage ofelectrical power from the system to the device. The cable includes afirst electrical connector, at one end of the cable, for connection tothe electronic device; and a second electrical connector, at another endof the cable, having terminals for connection to the power-supplysystem.

In addition the cable includes a memory device in one of the connectors.The device is interconnected with at least one of the terminals, forconnection to the power-supply system for identifying the electronicdevice to the power-supply system through the terminals.

The preceding two paragraphs may constitute a description or definitionof the third facet of the invention in its broadest or most generalform, but again can be seen to resolve important prior-art problems. Inparticular this facet of the invention provides a component whose usefacilitates and enhances application of the insights or principles ofthe invention to the task of interconnecting electrical devices topower-supplying systems according to either or both of the first twoaspects of the invention.

As will be understood, millions of such electrical devices already havebeen manufactured and exist, without any associated memory chip astaught by the invention. Some of these preexisting devices arerelatively very expensive--so much so that it would be uneconomic todiscard them in favor of newly manufactured devices having such anassociated chip.

The cable of this third aspect of the invention makes the desiredinterconnection possible at only relatively minor expense. That expenseis, namely, the cost of a cable that may be standard in every way exceptfor (1) inclusion of a chip whose contained identification informationmatches the power requirements of the device for which it is purchased,and optionally also (2) some label, color-coding, cable imprinting orthe like that identifies the electrical device or devices with which itshould be used.

In addition if desired the device-end connector of the cable may beconfigured for the particular device or category of devices, so as topreclude or deter misconnection of a cable for one electrical device, ordevice category, to some other device. At any rate, as with the firsttwo main aspects of the invention preferably this third facet ispracticed in conjunction with further features to optimize its benefits.

For example it is preferred that the memory device identify theelectronic device for validation of compatibility of the electronicdevice with the facility. It is also preferred that the memory device bein the second electrical connector, as this arrangement in some casesmay avoid including an additional conductor along the length of thecable. For now the memory device is best a Dallas® DS 2400, 2401 or2502; any later refinements--or substantial equivalents--may be equallyor more desirable. As another example it is preferred that the memorydevice be a ROM chip, and a two-pin device.

Now I shall turn to the special cases mentioned earlier. As discussedbelow, they provide five additional main aspects of the invention, hereidentified as the fourth through eighth major facets or aspects of theinvention.

The fourth aspect of the invention is somewhat related to the first, buthere involves use of a power adapter rather than a cable that might becompletely passive. More specifically, in preferred embodiments of thisfourth facet, the invention is a power-supply connection system forproviding electrical power, from a source of electrical power, tooperate any of a multiplicity of electronic devices, at least one ofwhich electronic devices has an associated power adapter.

This system includes means for receiving electrical power from such asource, and means for passing electrical power to such a power adapterthat is associated with any of such electronic devices. The system alsoincludes automatic means for automatically accepting electronic-deviceidentification information for a particular device which is associatedwith that particular one power adapter.

These automatic accepting means are associated with the power-passingmeans. The accepting means accept the identification information from orthrough any particular one of such power adapters respectively.

Furthermore the system includes programmed digital electronicmicroprocessor means for using the identification information to selectpower parameters, for passage of power from the power-receiving meansand through the power-passing means to the particular onedevice-associated power adapter.

Additionally, included are some means for activating the power-passingmeans to apply power therethrough to the particular one power adapteraccording to the power parameters.

This aspect of the invention provides benefits related to thosedescribed earlier for the first aspect. Those benefits are enhanced,however, by the added advantages of a power-adapter-basedsystem--discussed earlier in the informal introduction. Of course I alsoprefer to use this fourth aspect of the invention in conjunction withcertain added features or characteristics which will be clear from thefurther discussion that follows.

The fifth primary facet of the invention is related to theabove-discussed second aspect, but once again focuses on use of a poweradapter, rather than use of a cable that might be entirely passive. Apreferred embodiment of the invention in its fifth main facet is apower-supply connection system for providing electrical power from asource of electrical power in a facility, to operate a plurality ofelectronic devices. Each such device is one of a multiplicity ofelectronic devices that have associated power adapters which arecompatible with the facility--"compatible" being defined as discussedearlier. This system includes some means for receiving electrical powerfrom such a source.

The system also includes automatic means, including a plurality ofconnection ports, for automatically passing electrical power to aplurality of any of such compatible power adapters respectively,substantially concurrently. In addition the system includes some means,associated with the power-passing means, for accepting, from anyparticular one of such power adapters at any of the plurality of ports,electronic-device identification information for a particular one deviceassociated with that particular one power adapter.

Further included are programmed digital electronic microprocessor meansfor using said identification information. These means use theidentification information to select power parameters, for passage ofpower from the power-receiving means and through the power-passing meansto each particular one power adapter for its associated device.

A preferred system according to the fifth main aspect of the inventionalso includes some means for activating the power-passing means to applypower therethrough. The power thereby passes to any of such compatiblepower adapters for the associated electronic devices, substantiallyconcurrently, according to their power parameters respectively. Thisaspect of the invention too has associated preferences which willoptimize the enjoyment of its benefits; these preferences will becomeclear shortly.

A sixth major independent facet of the invention is related to thethird, but here again particularly focuses upon use of a power adapter.In a preferred embodiment according to this sixth facet, the inventionitself is a power adapter.

This power adapter is for use in connecting a particular electronicdevice to an electrical power-supply system in a facility--for passageof electrical power from the system to the device through the adapter.The power adapter includes a first electrical connector for connectionto the electronic device, and a second electrical connector havingterminals for connection to the power-supply system.

The power adapter also includes some means for receiving electricalpower at the second electrical connector and deriving therefromelectrical power in a different form. This reformed power is forprovision to the electronic device at the first electrical connector.

Finally the power adapter of this sixth major independent facet of theinvention includes a memory unit interconnected with at least one of theterminals, for connection to the power-supply system. This memory unitis for identifying the electronic device to the power-supply systemthrough the at least one terminal.

This power adapter of the sixth aspect of my invention is advantageousin that it enables enjoyment of the benefits described above for thefourth and fifth aspects of the invention. Several preferred details offeatures and characteristics for this sixth aspect of the invention willappear from the remainder of this document.

A seventh major independent facet of the invention is disclosed in mypreviously mentioned patent. This aspect of the invention addressesplacement of a memory unit in the electronic device itself, rather thanin a power adapter or cable.

In preferred embodiments of its seventh aspect, the invention is anelectronic device, for use with an electrical power-supply system. Morespecifically it is for use with an electrical power-supply system whichsupplies power to any of a multiplicity of electronic devices, inresponse to received identification information for each of the supplieddevices.

The identification information is for use in determining powerparameters for each of the devices respectively. The electronic deviceincludes at least one main chassis.

This electronic device also includes identifying means for providingidentification information to the system, for identifying the device tothe system. In addition the device has connection means for receivingpower from the system and transmitting identification information fromthe identifying means to the system.

The identification information identifies the device to the system,through the connection means. Numerous preferences will be seen in thefollowing discussion.

An eighth major facet of the invention is closely related to the seventhaspect discussed above, but includes several of the associatedpreferences. Thus preferably the identifying means include a memory unitheld substantially at or within the main chassis, for providingidentification information to the system.

Also preferably the identification information identifies the device tothe system for validation of compatibility of the device with thesystem, and for establishing necessary power parameters for the device.These parameters include supply voltage, supply impedance, and suppliedcurrent--or combinations of these.

Furthermore it is preferred that the memory unit be a programmed ROMchip. More specifically I prefer that it be a memory chip in the Dallas®line, ideally model DS 2400, 2401 or 2402, or later refinements if any,and substantial equivalents if any.

The device itself is preferably for use in performing a useful functionsuch as, but not limited to, computing, communicating, illuminating,calculating, displaying, examining, recording, reproducing, printing,fastening or controlling. It preferably includes one or more operatingelectronic memory modules used directly in and as part of such a usefulfunction.

The identifying means, however, preferably include a memory unit that isdistinct from every operating electronic memory module of the device.Those skilled in the art will is appreciate that this is a morepractical, simple and economical method than attempting to read the mainmemory modules of the device. Such attempts in general would requirepowering up the entire unit--for the purpose of determining whetherpower can be supplied to the unit!--which appears somewhat impractical.

In purest principle it is true that the interrogating power from thepower-supply system might be used to power up a ROM that is also used inoperation of the device for its useful function, if the electronicdevice were specifically designed to operate thus. Such a specialdesign, however, would have the drawback of tending to expose thecontents of that ROM at the power connections, which in general is arelatively undesirable operating characteristic for a functional ROMused in an electronic device. Further specific design features in turnwould have to be included to overcome this drawback, and the onlyperceptible motivation for doing so would be to circumvent the foregoingstatement of preference for a "distinct" memory unit--and correspondingprovisions in certain of the appended claims. Hence this type ofroundabout design may be regarded as the equivalent of employing amemory unit that is distinct from every operating memory module used inthe useful function of the device.

All of the foregoing operational principles and advantages of thepresent invention will be more fully appreciated upon consideration ofthe following detailed description, with reference to the appendeddrawings, of which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one preferred embodiment of a power-supplysystem according to the first or second main facet or aspect of theinvention, together with a preferred embodiment of one form of cableaccording to the third main aspect or facet;

FIG. 2 is a like diagram of a system that is one preferred embodimentparticularly according to the second main facet of the invention,together with several forms of cable that are preferred embodimentsaccording to the third main aspect;

FIG. 3 is an isometric or perspective drawing of a cable according tothe third main aspect of the invention, very schematically shown readyfor use in a representative multiuser facility;

FIG. 4 is a logic-flow diagram representing operation of firmware in theFIG. 1 or FIG. 2 power-supply system to accept information from a deviceor device-associated memory chip and in response supply electricity tothe device, if eligible;

FIG. 5 is a diagram like FIG. 1 but relating to a power adapter ratherthan a passive cable;

FIG. 6 is a diagram like certain portions of FIG. 2 but relating topower adapters; and

FIG. 7 is an isometric or perspective drawing like FIG. 3, but for asystem that uses power adapters.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIG. 1, electrical power from a source 10 is providedthrough a power-supply system 20 of the invention, and through a cable30 of the invention, to an electrical device 40. The supplied device 40is most typically but not necessarily a portable electronic device.

The supply system 20 receives power from the source 10 through receivingmeans that generally include a pair of leads/terminals 11 of the sourceand 21 of the supply system. In the arrangement shown, terminals may beneeded because the source 10 and supply system 20 are separate orseparately packaged; if instead the source 10 were encompassed andpackaged within the system 20, then naturally the terminals could beomitted and the leads 11, 21 consolidated.

Within the supply system 20 a first voltage regulator 22 takes powerfrom the input leads 21 and produces at its outputs 221, 23 stabilizedvoltage. Voltage at one of those outputs 23 is applied to power adigital electronic microprocessor 23 that includes or is associated witha preferably reprogrammable memory 25.

Through information-accepting means that include terminals/leads 26 ofthe supply system and 34 of the attached cable, the microprocessor 24also receives identification information 33 about the device 40. Themicroprocessor responds by developing and applying a signal 27 toactivate and control another, controllable regulator 28 within thesupply system 20. (Any suitable single-line, multiline, digital oranalog signal 27 may be used.)

The microprocessor is programmed to develop the signal 27 based upon useof the externally supplied information 33 in conjunction withinformation stored in the microprocessor-associated memory 25. Morespecifically, the microprocessor performs these tasks in such a way thatthe controllable regulator 28 supplies power at a voltage, current, etc.which are appropriate to the combination of (1) the supplied device 40and (2) the source 10, as well as (3) a facility or other environmentfor which the system 20 has been prepared.

Output power from the controllable regulator is impressed uponpower-passing means that include output leads/terminals 29 of the supplysystem. The power-passing means also include components of the cable 30,when connected to those output terminals 29, for carrying power 37 tothe supplied device 40.

The cable 30 includes--at its end proximate to the supply system 20--aconnector 31 whose three leads/terminals 34, 36 are respectivelyconfigured to mate with the previously mentioned three information andpower leads/terminals 26, 29 of the supply system. The externalconfiguration of this near-end connector 31 accordingly should bestandard for all types of cable 30, except that--as will be seenshortly--some types of cable 30 require only two connections, in whichcase no separate information terminal need be included.

For the particular type of cable 30 illustrated in FIG. 1, the near-endconnector 31 houses a memory 32, one of whose terminals is connected tothe independent information terminal/lead 34 of the connector 31. Theother terminal 35 of the memory 32 is connected to one of the powerterminals/leads 36, and thereby to the mating terminal/lead 29 in thesupply system 20. One mating set of terminals/leads 36, 29 thus servesas a common connection for both the information-accepting andpower-supplying functions of the system and cable.

Through these means the memory 32 in the near-end cable connector 31supplies the previously mentioned external information 33. Theinformation is transmitted by passage of electrical signals via theinformation terminals/leads 34, 26 (and one set of power terminals/leads36, 29) to the microprocessor 24.

Within the near-end connector 31 typically there is an internal housingthat contains the memory 32. The gross physical form of this internalhousing--and thus of the interior as well as the exterior of thenear-end connector may be substantially standard.

The information held within the memory, however, is specific to thedevice 40 to which power is to be supplied, or at least to a category ofsuch devices. The memory 32 may be a ROM, PROM (one-time-writable ROM),EPROM, EEPROM, RAM etc. whichever may be best suited for the logisticsof preparing a number of memory units 32 to represent some class orcategory of electronic devices 40 to supply systems 20.

In the marketplace, as will be understood, some devices 40 are vastlymore numerous than others. Hence some types of memories 32--depending onrelative economy of scale etc. may be preferable for some devices 40,and other very different types may be preferable for other devices 40.

Issuing from the near-end connector 31 is the cable 30 proper, which isto say two elongated power-carrying leads 36 terminating in a far-endconnector 30 with two power-carrying terminals 39. This far-endconnector 30 and its terminals--like the information held in the memory32, generally speaking --are specific to devices 40 of a particular type(or category of types), to which power is to be supplied; accordinglythe connector 38 and terminal 39 can be configured or shape-encoded topermit connection only with devices 40 of the intended mating type orcategory.

As evaluated from the perspective of the supplied device 40, the entirepower-supply system 20 and cable 30 engage and function as if they werea completely dedicated or specific supply arrangement for the particulardevice 40. Accordingly the operating components (not shown) of thedevice 40 are simply connected--or remain connected--in conventionalfashion, without need for any special provisions on account of thepower-supply system 20 and cable 30, to power-input leads 41 within thedevice 40.

The FIG. 1 embodiment is advantageous for (1) its relative economy, inthat placement of the memory 32 in the near-end connector 31 obviatesneed for running the third lead 34 the length of the cable; (2) itsrelative simplicity in that the memory 32 has its own terminal/lead 34separate from the power terminals/leads 36 and so requires no addedmeasures for protecting the memory 32 against or extracting itsinformation signal 33 from the power 37; and (3) the absence of anyrequirement for retrofitting the supplied device 40 with internal memoryto supply the needed identification information 33.

On the other hand, this embodiment has cost drawbacks in that (1) thethird terminal 34 introduces some added cost, (2) elements inboth--rather than only one--of the connectors 31, 38 must be specific tothe supplied device 40, and (3) for a new supplied device 40, buildingthe cable 30 with provision for a memory unit 32, and associating thecorrect memory unit 32 with each cable 30, is more expensive thanbuilding the memory-unit 32 function directly into the new device 40 aspart of its manufacture. People skilled in this field will understandthat these recited advantages and drawbacks are simply tradeoffs to bemanaged in the usual engineering fashion for each subgrouping of supplysystems 20, cables 30 and devices 40 in the marketplace.

The FIG. 2 system is capable of serving only a single device as in FIG.1--and also is capable of supplying power to numerous devices 140a-140z,when present, concurrently. As symbolized in FIG. 2 by absence of cablesand supplied devices at some representative ports b, c, k, the systemcan operate properly with cables and devices attached at all, any, ornone of its ports a-z.

The source 110, first regulator 122 and microprocessor-associated memory125, and each of numerous three-terminal ports a-z are generally similarto the corresponding elements 10, 22, 25 and 26/29 of FIG. 1. Acontrollable multiport regulator 128 for use in the FIG. 2 system mightalso be simply an aggregation of individual regulators 28 (FIG. 1), eachwith its own separate control path (I.e. lead, wire pair, bus etc.) 27from the microprocessor.

In the interest of economy, however, the regulator 128 instead maypreferably be constructed to use as many as possible of its componentsin common for the ports a-z. For example the microprocessor may have asingle identification-information-accepting path 126 from the regulator128, and a single control path 127 to the regulator 128.

In this latter case an electrical bus system within the regulator 128may route identification information from the individual ports a-z (forinstance, from any of the individual information terminals 126a-126z) tothe microprocessor's single information path 126. Such a bus system alsomay route activation and power-specification signals from themicroprocessor's single control path 127 to individual modules (notillustrated), within the regulator 128, feeding the individual powerterminals 129a-129z.

As those skilled in the art of electronic design will understand, such abus-controllable arrangement requires a conventional addressingsubsystem, guided by the microprocessor 124 to direct the passage ofinformation and control signals (and if desired even power) along commonbus elements in an orderly, mutually noninterfering way. Accordingly themicroprocessor 124 programming in the FIG. 2 system, while encompassingthe basic functions of the processor 24 in the elemental FIG. 1 system,also includes timesharing and addressing provisions necessary to suchorderly interfacing with the controllable regulator.

Each of the FIG. 2 ports a-z is a three-terminal set, to accommodatethree-terminal cable types including the cable 30 (FIG. 1). Forreference purposes this is illustrated at port y of FIG. 2, where thecable 130y and supplied device 140y are identical to the cable 30 anddevice 40 in FIG. 1.

Some manufacturers of cables and/or devices, however, may prefer topractice forms of my invention in which only two connections are madebetween the cable and supply system. In such forms of the invention,identification information from a memory 143a, 132j within the supplieddevice 140a or cable 130j is read into the microprocessor 124 via thepower leads 129a, 129j--using various provisions that will be discussedlater in this document.

As will be understood such information is accepted by the processor 124while no power is standing on the power leads 129a, 129j; and aftersupply of power along those leads 129a, 129j is initiated, no furtherinformation transfer is needed. Therefore no special provision is neededfor concurrent sharing of those power leads by information and power.

What is needed in some systems, however, is protection of the memory143a, 132j against the voltage at which power is provided to thesupplied device 140a, 140j. Whether any given system requires suchprotection may depend on the magnitude and polarity, and possiblywaveform, of the voltage.

Thus typical memory devices 143a, 132j are intrinsically capable ofstanding off--and in some commercial packages may be provided withinternal guarding against--relatively modest supplied voltage, as forexample ±3 Vdc. Such devices may be damaged upon application of typicalbattery-recharger input voltages such as for example 110 to 240 Vac.

In this family of cables and supplied devices according to theinvention, each memory 143a, 132j is specifically associated--bydefinition, for present purposes--with a known voltage specification. Itis therefore straightforward to determine for each manufacturing projectwhether a discrete guard element 149a, 136j' need be interposed toprotect the respective memory chip 143a, 132j.

The supplied device 140a illustrated at the first port a of the FIG. 2supply system is taken to be a device of new manufacture with a built-inmemory 143a, according to the invention. In such situations,incorporating provision for the memory 143a into initial manufacture ofthe device 140a is especially inexpensive; likewise incorporatingprovision for a voltage-guarding component 149a, if needed, isinexpensive.

Incorporating such manufacturing provisions is cost effective; inparticular they enable use of the most-economical and simplest possiblecable 130a--completely passive and with only two conductors 136a.Incorporation of such provisions is even more attractive for alow-voltage device in which the guard element 149a may be omitted.

On the other hand, as illustrated at the last port z in FIG. 2, alsowithin the scope of my invention is building of a memory unit 143z intoa newly manufactured device 140z, and interconnection of the device 140zwith the supply system 120 through a three-wire connector 144z-139z andcable 130z. This configuration may be reasonably economical,particularly e.g. for a device 140z which operates on relatively highvoltage and for which a relatively short cable 130z is adequate.

The supplied device 140j illustrated at the second occupied port j, bycontrast, is taken to be an already-existing device--lacking a built-inidentification-information memory according to the invention. To obtaineconomies associated with having to make only one connector 138jspecific to the supplied device 140j, the memory 132j with itsdevice-specific contents is housed within the far-end connector138j--that is to say, the connector which must be mechanicallyconfigured to mate with the device connector 141j anyway.

To obtain further economies associated with a two-conductor cable 130j,the memory 132j is connected across the power leads/terminals 136j/139j.This connection point is just across the supplied-device power-inputconnector 139j/141j from the port-a position (within the supplied device140j) just discussed, and so is electrically equivalent--but confers themajor economy of avoiding a retrofit of the supplied device 140.

As in the port-a system, within the general port-j configuration thememory 132j should be protected 136j' against the power applied to thepower terminals/leads 136j/139j for relatively high-voltage devices140j. For economy's sake such protection may be better omitted forrelatively low-voltage devices.

In event the two-conductor configurations illustrated at ports a and jare regarded as sufficiently attractive (for their particularsimplicities and economies) to become standard, then all the ports a-zmay be made two-terminal ports by elimination of the terminals126a-126z--as may the analogous port in the FIG. 1 system by omission ofthe separate information terminal 26. In that event the necessaryinformation-signal connections may be made, before application of power,through the power ports 129a-129z, 129 as will be described shortly.

The cable 130j shown at the second occupied port j in FIG. 2 is alsorepresented mechanically in FIG. 3, but with somewhat schematicrepresentations of a facility, some supply-system elements, the supplieddevice 140j, and interconnections. This drawing includes conventionalpassenger-accommodating provisions 90 of an aircraft, a conventional orother electricity-using device 140j such as a so-called "notebook"computer ready for use within such a mobile facility, and tworepresentative conveniently located ports 126j/129j, 126k/129k of asupply system.

Other FIG. 2 elements such as the power source 110, first regulator 122,processor 124 and associated memory 125, and most internal parts of themultiport regulator 128 may be centrally located with respect to theaircraft or other facility, and are not shown in FIG. 3. Wiringconnections from the centrally disposed multiport regulator 128 to theindividual user sites and corresponding ports 126j/129j, 126k/129k etc.are distributed throughout the passenger accommodations, but mosttypically--for reasons of esthetics, safety, and equipmentprotection--along paths that are concealed, and also not shown in FIG.3.

In FIG. 3 as in FIG. 2 the near-end connector 131j is shown as atwo-terminal unit, but ready for engagement 95 with the three-terminalport 126j/129j of the supply system. The near-end connector housing 131jnevertheless is advantageously configured for mating 95 of its twoterminals 136j with exclusively the two power terminals 129j of thesupply-system port.

As will be explained later, the two-terminal connector 131j may beengaged in either of two opposite orientations with the port terminals129j. The far-end connector 138j and particularly its terminals 139j aremechanically configured--as symbolized by a triangular-section element(FIG. 3)--for engagement 96 with, exclusively, power-input terminals141j of a device 140j whose power specifications are represented by thememory inside the housing 138j.

Since the memory 132j (FIG. 2) is not actually visible within thefar-end connector 138j as drawn in FIG. 3, the physical elements whichdo appear in this drawing may be taken equally well as representing theport-a (FIG. 2) two-conductor configuration--with memory 143a built intothe supplied device 140a. By visualizing the connector 131j as havingone additional terminal or pin, the reader will also find FIG. 3 to begenerally representative of the three-terminal configurationsillustrated at ports r, y and z, and in FIG. 1.

One configuration, at the last port z in FIG. 2, has already beenintroduced that represents a three-wire form of a device with built-inmemory 143z, conceptually related to a corresponding two-wire form atthe first port a. Analogously illustrated at the third occupied port ris a three-wire form of a cable configuration for a device withoutbuilt-in memory.

In this port-r configuration, identification information is suppliedfrom a memory 132r housed in the far-end connector 138r. This port-rthree-wire cable configuration is conceptually related to thecorresponding two-wire form, just discussed, at the second occupied portj.

The three-wire configuration shown at the third occupied port r isadvantageous in that no voltage-guard element is needed, and may beespecially desirable for some high-voltage devices--particularly devicesneeding only relatively short cables. Thus these advantages areanalogous, in relation to the related two-wire configuration at thesecond occupied port j, to those offered by the three-wire built-inconfiguration at port z, in relation to the two-wire built-inconfiguration at port a.

Still another form (not illustrated) of my invention is a configurationwith the memory housed in the near-end cable connector--as at port y,and as in FIG. 1--but connected across the power leads as at the firsttwo occupied ports a, j of FIG. 2. For relatively high-voltage systems,that configuration may require guarding as 15 149a, 136j' in FIG. 2.

Although that configuration is within the scope of my invention, Iregard it as relatively undesirable because it incurs the added costs ofmaking both connectors device-specific, but without greatly redeemingitself by saving the cost of a third wire along the full cablelength--since there is no third wire beyond the near-end connector.Nonetheless the configuration under discussion does have some benefit inthat the near-end connector need have only two terminals rather thanthree (as at port y in FIG. 2).

Now in operation with respect to each generalized port "n" of themultiple ports a-z of a multiport form of my invention, themicroprocessor 124 initially is quiescent 50 (FIG. 4) with respect topower application at power terminals of that port n --waiting for aconnection at that port n. This initial condition of quiescence,however, is relatively active in terms of logical functions of themicroprocessor, as that unit is programmed to circulate continuouslythrough a connection-monitoring loop 50-54.

More specifically, the processor may check at intervals in the range of,for example, once each five seconds to several times each second foreach of several possible connections to a memory 32, 132, 143. Thus insequence the processor 24, 124 may:

attempt 51 to find a memory connected to its data line 26, 126; thenfailing that

attempt 52 to find a memory connected with one arbitrary selected("forward") polarity across the power terminals 29, 129; and thenfailing that

attempt 53 to find a memory connected with an opposite ("reverse")polarity--but across the same power terminals 29, 129.

Still failing this last possibility, with respect to port n the systemreturns 54 to begin the process again. The system may be programmed,however, to digress (not shown)--at any point in the process--fromservicing of any particular port n to monitoring or other steps withrespect to the other ports.

In event any of the tests 51-53 is positive, the system proceeds to read55-57 the presented memory 32, 132, 143 in its respective orientation.People skilled in this field will understand that as a practical matter,depending upon the protocol established for the memory units by theirmanufacturer(s), there may be no physical distinction between the stepsof testing 51-53 for a connection and the steps 55-57 of reading signalsfrom the memory unit; hence in this particular regard the diagram insome practical cases may be regarded as partially conceptual.

In any event the system proceeds 58 to the next firmware module 60-68,in which acceptability of the presented device 40, 140 is determined. Tothis end the processor first receives 60 the identification informationinto a suitable intermediate storage point within the processor 24, 124and then advances 61 to the step of seeking 62 some matching entry in alookup table that is held in the processor-associated memory 25, 125.

If the processor fails to find 64 any such matching entry, then itssequence branches 65 to return 67 to the quiescent state. Along theway--if the system designers have chosen the option indicated in thedrawing--the processor sounds and/or displays 66, to the local userand/or to centralized operators of the facility 90, an indication thatan unacceptable connection has been presented to the supply system.

Such an unacceptable connection may represent a device 40, 140 which hasbeen disqualified from use in the particular facility, or has not beensubmitted for preapproval, for use in the particular facility 90, orwhich is simply a foreign memory unit not carrying any validdevice-identifying code. Alternatively such a connection may represent apaperclip or like metal object such as might be inserted by a smallchild--or even a deliberate bogus connection such as a jumper wire orscrewdriver, as may be presented to the system from time to time by aprankster or vandal.

For a multiuser facility the optional design feature of a central alarmmay be particularly appropriate to enable aircraft cabin attendants, forexample, to deter any misuse of the system. In a private context, on theother hand, no alarm may be needed as each user will understand if poweris not provided that the system has detected some incompatibility.

It will be understood that merely for definiteness and simplicity hasFIG. 4 been drawn as representing a system in which disqualified devices40, 140 are simply not included in the lookup table. For at least somepractical commercial systems it may be preferred to include disqualifieddevices 40, 140--but flagged as disqualified, so that the system alarm66 can indicate, for the information of the prospective user or systemoperators, a distinction between presentation of a device that isdisqualified and one that is unrecognized. In some instances the user oroperators may wish to take suitable remedial action, based upon suchinformation.

On the other hand, if the processor is able to find 64 in the lookuptable 25, 125 a matching entry, then the system instead proceeds 68 toanother procedural module 70-73: supplying suitable power to thepresented device 40, 140. This process includes first selecting 70suitable power specifications.

Again as a practical matter this selection step may be physicallyunitary with finding 64, 68 the submitted identification in the lookuptable. In particular, as mentioned earlier the identificationinformation 33 may itself include or consist of all necessary powerspecifications, so that the need for a lookup table may be obviated orreduced and the "selection" step 70 may simply consist of reading--andperhaps reformatting--the information from the external memory 32, 132,143.

In any case, once the specifications are selected the system goes on 71to apply 72 them to activate the controllable regulator 28, 128 throughthe pertinent port n, and then go on to module 80-86 relating toeventual disconnection of the supplied device 40, 140. In the lattermodule the system repetitively cycles 80-83 through testing 82 fordisconnection, and failing that test then repeating the same test atfrequent intervals such as, for instance, once or twice per second butwhen the test 82 is met, the system branches 84 to deactivate theregulator 28, 128 with respect to port n (which is to say, disconnectthe power at that port), and then reset 86 to the initial quiescentstate 50 for that port n.

Where a power-adapter-based system is substituted for apassive-cable-based system, with reference to a single user station, theFIG. 1 schematic may instead appear generally as shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 1elements that are different from those in FIG. 1 but serve verygenerally analogous functions are shown with callouts that differ onlyby the insertion of a prefix "2".

As to identification of the device 240 (by way of its power adapter 231)to the system 220, the operation is closely analogous. As explainedearlier, however, the overall system now has the benefits of operatingwith a standard voltage at the terminals 226, 229 regardless of the typeof device 240 that is present--and also, because a. c. voltage is inuse, with more-economical power transmission to the user station.

Analogously, the FIG. 2 schematic for multiple user stations mayinstead, for a power-adapter-based system, appear generally as shown inFIG. 5. Here the prefix is "3" instead of "2". Once again, theidentification procedure is generally as before, but the overallmultiple-user system now has the benefits of a single common, standarda. c. voltage for all users.

The system is advantageously programmed to monitor current drawn at eachport in use, and compare the current drawn with thecurrent-specifications portion of power specifications found earlier.The system is also advantageously programmed to deactivate thecontrolled regulator 28, 128 with respect to any port at which a poweroverload arises when or after power supply is initiated at that port. Ofcourse an overload may be defined with respect to criteria for afacility 90, in addition to criteria selected as part of powerspecifications for a device 40, 140.

Some system designers may prefer to structure the supply system 20, 120so that in use of two-terminal cables 30, 130 the contents of the memory32, 132, 143 remain accessible to the processor 24, 124 even after poweris supplied to the device 40, 140. Such operation is readily possible,though more costly, through conventional multiplexing of theidentification data onto the power lines 29/36, 129/136.

The invention is readily implemented in firmware of a dedicatedmicroprocessor within a supply-system apparatus housing 20, 120.Alternatively, however, and particularly for relatively large facilitiessuch as a laboratory complex, hotel, convention center, ship, or largeaircraft, the necessary programming and some of the connectionsaccording to my invention may instead be provided as software andcontrolled ports of a general-purpose computer--and thus integrated intothe overall operational systems of the facility, thereby expediting anydesired updating of the identification-information database 125, as wellas customization of the power-supplying system to protocols,organization, security, hierarchies etc. of the facility.

Thus in some types of multiuser facilities the microprocessor 124 may beprovided additional information about relevant facility status. Inaircraft, for instance, which provide a passenger-amenities pod at eachseat the availability of power through supply systems according to myinvention may be conditioned upon use or nonuse of other elements of thepod. For example the system may, to promote safety, refuse power to aport 129/126 until some deployment of the pod itself is detected; or, tolimit power at each seat, refuse power if a video display associatedwith the pod is also or already in use.

Some systems according to my invention, for marketing or other purposes,may be made facility-specific in different ways. For example, thedevice-specific memory unit 32, 132, 143 may be usable only in aircraftof a particular airline e.g., perhaps one which mails a cable 30, 130without charge to each preferred passenger or prospect.

As to types of memory unit 32, 132, 143 for use in the cable 30, adapter230, 330 or device 140a, 140z, 340, as suggested earlier I prefer a ROMsuch as the Dallas® DS 2400 or 2401 (chips in two different voltageoptions respectively) for supplied devices 40 etc. whose powerspecifications are very common. I prefer to use ROMs for such supplieddevices 40 etc. because ROMs are the least expensive memory units forhigh-volume applications.

For devices 40 etc. whose power specifications are much less common, Iprefer to use a PROM. One suitable commercially available unit is theDallas® DS 2502, which actually is a hybrid--having one kilobyte ofone-time-writable memory space or PROM in addition to the same ROM usedin the DS 2401.

Use of such a programmable memory unit carries the benefit is ofreducing inventory, as the unit--and even an otherwise-finished cable30--can be programmed at a warehouse or even retail store, afterpreliminary distribution, to accommodate a considerable variety ofsupplied devices 40 etc.

An alternative for special applications is a more-powerful electronicdevice such as a RAM, or even a microprocessor programmed to representor simulate a simpler memory chip (and note the earlier comment aboutequivalence to a distinct memory unit). For example a central or otherprocessor (not shown) in a portable computer or other supplied device140a, 140z may be programmed (and if need be provided with a smallcontinuous power supply) to serve the functions of the memory unit 143a,143z.

All such variations are within the scope of my invention. As will beunderstood, the foregoing disclosure is intended to be merely exemplary,not to limit the scope of the invention which is to be determined fromthe appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A power-supply connection system for providing electricalpower, from a source of electrical power, to operate any of amultiplicity of electronic devices, at least one of which electronicdevices has an associated power adapter; and said systemcomprising:means for receiving electrical power from such a source;means for passing electrical power to such a power adapter that isassociated with any of such electronic devices; automatic means,associated with said power-passing means, for automatically accepting,from or through any particular one of such power adapters respectively,electronic-device identification information for a particular devicewhich is associated with that particular one power adapter; programmeddigital electronic microprocessor means for using said identificationinformation to select power parameters, for passage of power from thepower-receiving means and through the power-passing means to saidparticular one device-associated power adapter; and means for activatingthe power-passing means to apply power therethrough to said particularone power adapter according to the power parameters.
 2. The system ofclaim 1, for use with at least one electronic device whose associatedpower adapter holds a memory unit for identifying the device to thesystem; and wherein:the information-accepting means receive theidentification information from such memory unit held by such poweradapter.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein:said power-passing means passa. c. power to such power adapter.
 4. The system of claim 1, for use inconjunction with any of a multiplicity of power adapters that arerespectively associated with such electronic devices of themultiplicity:further comprising at least one electrical power-adapterreceptacle, with terminal configuration that is standard for connectionto any of such multiplicity of power adapters, the at least onepower-adapter receptacle comprising terminals that serve as part of thepower-passing and information-accepting means; and wherein theinformation-accepting means of the power-adapter receptacle receive theidentification information from such power adapter and associatedelectronic device.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein:the terminalsserving as part of the information-accepting means are the identicalterminals that serve as part of the power-passing means.
 6. The systemof claim 1, further comprising:a tabulation of identificationinformation with corresponding power parameters, for each of amultiplicity of electronic devices, held in association with themicroprocessor means.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein:for a class ofelectronic devices that are not acceptable for use with or whoseidentification information is not recognized by the system, thetabulation comprises corresponding power parameters that encompasspassing no power to any device of said class of electronic devices. 8.The system of claim 7, particularly for use in environments sensitive toinadequately controlled electromagnetic-radiation emissions; andwherein:said class of electronic devices that are not acceptable for usewith, or whose identification information is not recognized by, thesystem comprise electronic devices that produceelectromagnetic-radiation emissions that are inadequately controlled. 9.The system of claim 1, further comprising:said source of electricalpower.
 10. The system of claim 1, for use in conjunction with at leastone of such electronic devices, of the multiplicity, which substantiallycontains its associated power adapter, and wherein:the power-passing andinformation-accepting means comprise an electrical cable having atermination that is standard for connection to any of such poweradapters of the multiplicity.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein:theparameters for each of such devices comprise at least one parameterselected from the group consisting of supply voltage, supply impedance,and supplied current.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein:the parametersfor each of such devices comprise at least supply voltage and suppliedcurrent.
 13. The system of claim 1, wherein:the identificationinformation itself comprises at least one of the power parameters. 14.The system of claim 1, wherein:the identification information itselfcomprises the power parameters.
 15. A power-supply connection system forproviding electrical power from a source of electrical power in afacility, to operate a plurality of electronic devices, each such devicebeing one of a multiplicity of electronic devices that have associatedpower adapters which are compatible with the facility; said systemcomprising:means for receiving electrical power from such a source;automatic means, including a plurality of connection ports, forautomatically passing electrical power to a plurality of any of suchcompatible power adapters respectively, substantially concurrently;means, associated with said power-passing means, for accepting, from anyparticular one of such power adapters at any of the plurality of ports,electronic-device identification information for a particular one deviceassociated with that particular one power adapter; programmed digitalelectronic microprocessor means for using said identificationinformation to select power parameters, for passage of power from thepower-receiving means and through the power-passing means to eachparticular one power adapter for its associated device; and means foractivating the power-passing means to apply power therethrough to any ofsuch compatible power adapters for the associated electronic devices,substantially concurrently, according to their power parametersrespectively.
 16. The system of claim 15, for use with at least one suchelectronic device whose associated power adapter holds an electronicmemory unit; and wherein:the information-accepting means receive theidentification information from such electronic memory unit held by suchassociated power adapter.
 17. A power adapter for use in connecting aparticular electronic device to an electrical power-supply system in afacility, for passage of electrical power from the system to the devicethrough the adapter; said power adapter comprising:a first electricalconnector for connection to the electronic device; a second electricalconnector having terminals for connection to the power-supply system;means for receiving electrical power at the second electrical connectorand deriving therefrom electrical power in a different form forprovision to the electronic device at the first electrical connector;and a memory unit interconnected with at least one of the terminals forconnection to the power-supply system, for identifying the electronicdevice to the power-supply system through said at least one terminal.18. The power adapter of claim 17, wherein:the memory unit identifiesthe electronic device for validation of compatibility of the electronicdevice with the facility.
 19. The power adapter of claim 17, wherein:thememory unit is in the second electrical connector.
 20. The power adapterof claim 17, wherein:the memory unit is a memory chip selected from thegroup consisting of the Dallas® memory chips model DS 2400, 2401 and2502 and later refinements if any, and substantial equivalents thereofif any.
 21. The power adapter of claim 17, wherein:the memory unit is aprogrammed ROM chip.
 22. An electronic device for use with an electricalpower-supply system which supplies power to any of a multiplicity ofelectronic devices, in response to received identification informationfor each of the supplied devices, said identification information beingfor use in determining power parameters for each of the devicesrespectively; said electronic device comprising:at least one mainchassis; identifying means for providing identification information tothe system, for identifying the device to the system; and connectionmeans for receiving power from the system and transmittingidentification information from the identifying means to the system;wherein the identification information identifies the device to thesystem, through the connection means.
 23. The electronic device of claim22, wherein:the identifying means identify the electronic device forvalidation of compatibility of the electronic device with the system.24. The electronic device of claim 22, wherein:the identifying meanscomprise a memory unit held substantially at or within the main chassis.25. The electronic device of claim 24, wherein:the identifying meanscomprise a memory unit held adjacent to the main chassis.
 26. Theelectronic device of claim 25, wherein:the memory unit is held in apower adapter adjacent to the main chassis.
 27. The electronic device ofclaim 26, wherein:the power adapter receives a. c. electrical power fromthe system and derives, from said a. c. power, electrical power in amodified form for operating the device.
 28. The electronic device ofclaim 22, wherein:said identification information identifies the deviceto the system adequately for establishing necessary power parameters forthe device.
 29. The electronic device of claim 28, wherein:saidparameters comprise at least one parameter selected from the groupconsisting of supply voltage, supply impedance, and supplied current.30. The electronic device of claim 28, wherein:the parameters compriseat least supply voltage and supplied current.
 31. The electronic deviceof claim 28, wherein:the identification information itself comprises atleast one of the power parameters.
 32. The electronic device of claim28, wherein:the identification information itself comprises the powerparameters.
 33. The electronic device of claim 32, wherein:theparameters comprise at least one parameter selected from the groupconsisting of supply voltage, supply impedance, and supplied current.34. The electronic device of claim 32, wherein:the parameters compriseat least supply voltage and supplied current.
 35. The electronic deviceof claim 22, wherein:the identifying means comprise a memory unit thatis a memory chip selected from the group consisting of the Dallas®memory chips model DS 2400, 2401 and 2502 and later refinements if any,and substantial equivalents thereof if any.
 36. The electronic device ofclaim 22, wherein:the identifying means comprise a memory unit that is aprogrammed ROM chip.
 37. The electronic device of claim 22, for use inperforming a useful function such as but not limited to computing,communicating, illuminating, calculating, displaying, examining,recording, reproducing, printing, fastening, or controlling:furthercomprising one or more operating electronic memory modules used directlyin and as part of such a useful function; and wherein the identifyingmeans comprise a memory unit that is distinct from every operatingelectronic memory module of the device.
 38. An electronic device for usewith an electrical power-supply system which supplies any of amultiplicity of electronic devices, in response to receivedidentification information for each of the supplied devices, saididentification information being for use in determining power parametersfor each of the devices respectively; said electronic devicecomprising:at least one main chassis; identifying means, comprising amemory unit held substantially at or within the main chassis, forproviding identification information to the system, for identifying thedevice to the system; and connection means for receiving power from thesystem and transmitting identification information from the identifyingmeans to the system; and wherein: the identification informationidentifies the device to the system, through the connection means, forvalidation of compatibility of the electronic device with the system andfor establishing necessary power parameters for the device; saidparameters comprise at least one parameter selected from the groupconsisting of supply voltage, supply impedance, and supplied current;the identification information itself comprises at least one of thepower parameters.
 39. The device of claim 38, wherein:the memory unit isa memory chip selected from the group consisting of the Dallas® memorychips model DS 2400, 2401 and 2502 and later refinements if any, andsubstantial equivalents thereof if any.
 40. The device of claim 38,wherein:the identifying means comprise a memory unit that is aprogrammed ROM chip.
 41. The device of claim 38, for use in performing auseful function such as but not limited to computing, communicating,illuminating, calculating, displaying, examining, recording,reproducing, printing, fastening, or controlling:further comprising oneor more operating electronic memory modules used directly in and as partof such a useful function; and wherein the identifying means comprise amemory unit that is distinct from every operating electronic memorymodule of the device.